Cold Rock Darwin has launched a laksa ice cream as part of The Territory’s first International Laksa Festival, which kicks off this November 24.

The fragrant new flavour is made from a curry flavoured ice-cream topped with crispy noodles, chilli flakes, and coriander leaves.

“It’s more salty than sweet and tastes pretty much exactly like laksa, only frozen,” says Cold Rock Darwin owner, Susan Webb. “You could have it for dinner or dessert. It’s both really.”

Susan first made the laksa ice cream for a bit of fun but has since been overwhelmed by the positive response.

“I didn’t think anyone would actually be interested in it, but we’ve just about run out of the first batch, with another on the way. A few people have said ‘nope, no way’, but when they actually taste it, they end up really liking it.”

In response to Darwin’s tropical climate and proximity to South East Asia, laksa has grown to become a specialty of the region, and on those hot Top End days, it just makes sense to have it available in frozen form.

Cold Rock Darwin’s laksa ice cream will be available throughout the International Laksa Festival, a new foodie event that invites laksa lovers to slurp their way across town, sampling the best in spicy soups before voting for their favourite on the dedicated Darwin Laksa app.

A panel of experts, chaired by Hanuman restaurateur Jimmy Shu, will award Darwin’s best laksa the ‘Golden Bowl’, with Diana Chan, winner of MasterChef Australia 2017, joining the panel as a celebrity judge.

The International Laksa Festival will be held on Sunday, November 24 in Darwin city. To register your restaurant or to learn more about the festival head to darwinlaksafestival.com.au